The aftermath of Halloween lingered like the echo of a spell gone wrong — thrilling for some, haunting for others.
By breakfast the next morning, the entire school knew what had happened.
Stories spread across the Great Hall in a dozen different versions, each wilder than the last.
Some said Cassius Snape had single-handedly ripped the trolls apart with his bare hands.
Others claimed Cho had summoned lightning from the ceiling while Hermione commanded the floor to rise up and crush one.
Others looking to smear Griffindor even claimed Ron had brought the trolls in to deal with his 'nuisance' only to be defeated in the end.
Whatever the tale, one thing remained constant — they were heroes.
For the first time in living memory, Slytherins, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, and even a few Gryffindors found themselves speaking of Draconis with awe.
And for Ron Weasley, the attention was unbearable.
Every mention of Hermione's name burned in his ears.
Every cheer at breakfast, every congratulatory pat on Cassius's back stoked the jealousy twisting in his chest.
Harry, who had only heard fragments of the tale, tried to be polite — but even he found himself staring across the hall at the calm, dark-haired boy who had already accomplished something extraordinary.
Something that his titles always claimed he was destined for.
~
Professor Thorne, on the other hand, saw opportunity.
In the staff room that morning, his sharp eyes gleamed over the rim of his teacup.
"Albus," he said casually, "I believe the Halloween incident presents a… rather useful teaching moment."
Dumbledore arched an eyebrow over his half-moon spectacles. "Useful, you say?"
"Indeed. Young Snape, Chang, and Granger survived because they had the nerve to fight, not flee. But courage without control is dangerous. What Hogwarts needs," Thorne continued, setting his cup down, "is structured combat instruction. A dueling club."
McGonagall frowned.
"Dueling? For first-years?"
Thorne's lips twitched into a knowing smile.
"For everyone. A proper defense program. Spells, technique, counter-curses, etiquette — the whole art."
Dumbledore steepled his fingers, thoughtful.
"A dueling club, you say… We had one, years ago."
"And it failed," Snape interjected coolly from his corner seat. "Because the students were more interested in peacocking than learning."
"Which," Thorne said lightly, "is precisely why I'll be running it differently."
A faint smirk tugged at Dumbledore's lips.
"Very well. You have my permission, Professor Thorne — though I expect safety wards and supervision."
Thorne inclined his head. "Naturally."
~
Within two days, sign-up sheets were pinned to every noticeboard.
By that evening, they were overflowing.
Cassius's idea — quietly mentioned to Thorne weeks ago — had caught fire.
Even the upper years, skeptical at first, couldn't resist the appeal of sanctioned dueling.
The Great Hall buzzed with excitement.
When the first meeting came around on Friday, nearly half the school crammed into the chamber Thorne had chosen — the old ballroom beneath the west wing.
Its marble floor gleamed under floating torches, and protective charms shimmered faintly in the air.
Cassius and Cho stood near the front, robes immaculate, wands ready in holsters unlike the others who had their hand unready in pockets or dangerously in their back pocket where it could easily be snapped simply by falling down.
Hermione hovered uncertainly near the back, her fingers twisting her sleeve, until Cassius turned, spotted her, and beckoned her forward with a small, reassuring nod.
As they waited, the door opened again — and in swept Severus Snape, black robes billowing like storm clouds.
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Thorne looked up from atop the primary dueling platform.
"Professor Snape," he greeted smoothly, "how generous of you to join us."
"I am here," Snape said curtly, "to ensure no one blows themselves up under your... instructional methods."
Thorne's eyes glinted.
"How very comforting. A pity you weren't this protective when you were- well back then."
Cassius, watching from the sidelines, nearly smirked.
The air between them crackled — not quite hostility, not quite friendship.
More of a rivalry from the forces of light and darkness brought about by the last war.
When Snape took his place at the edge of the dueling floor, Thorne turned back to the students.
"Welcome," he began, voice cutting through the whispers like steel. "You are here to learn the oldest art of wizardry — the duel. Not the petty scuffles you see in corridors, but the refined, deliberate exchange of spellcraft and will."
He raised his wand.
"A duel is not chaos. It is conversation — between intent and defence, courage and control."
A flick of his wrist — and a spark of crimson fire hissed through the air, striking an invisible ward and vanishing with a crack.
Gasps rippled through the hall.
"Every spell you cast," Thorne continued, "reveals who you are. Your instincts. Your fear. Your strength."
He gestured toward Cassius.
"Mr. Snape, front and center."
Cassius stepped forward without hesitation.
Thorne smiled faintly.
"You've seen death, haven't you, boy? Tell me — does fear still matter?"
Cassius was shocked but after a moment he figured the professor was refering to the trolls and not human deaths.
Cassius met his gaze evenly.
"Only if you let it."
"Good." Thorne turned, raising his wand. "Then face me."
A murmur ran through the students — a teacher dueling a first-year?
Cassius climbed up onto the platform taking his starting position.
But before anyone could protest, Thorne cast.
"Expelliarmus!"
The scarlet bolt snapped across the floor.
Cassius moved on instinct, blocking with a firm Protego.
The shield flared blue, shuddered under impact, but held.
The 'attack' had come uncalled for, unlike traditional dueling, this was more like actual real life dueling, though to see a first year cast a silent wandless protego was shocking.
"Excellent!" Thorne barked.
But before he could continue Cassius drew his wand and flicked it forwards in a snap.
'Stupify'
A beam of red light shot forward.
Thorne deflected it but only barely.
"Careful Professor, we are having a duel afterall, no time to be distracted."
Cassius quipped, his eyes focused on his target.
The air chilled.
A deep hum rolled through the room as Thorne raised his wand high.
"Noctis Vincula!"
Black chains of magic erupted from the floor, writhing toward Cassius.
Hermione gasped; even Snape stiffened, ready to intervene.
But Cassius didn't retreat.
His wand flashed in a sharp downward cut. "Cirith Calad!"
Light flared from the tip like shattered glass.
The dark tendrils splintered, dissolving midair.
The silence afterward was electric.
Snape's expression was unreadable — though his hand had half-raised before he caught himself.
"Reckless," he muttered. "Show-off."
But there was something else in his eyes.
Pride, buried deep.
But what came next stunned everyone.
"Avada Kedavra!"
Cassius shouted out the name of a spell known to all.
The killing curse, and from his wand tip shot a fast and sickly green curse.
Professor Thorne's face paled, seeing the oncoming rush of green light, witnessing his life flashing before his eyes.
'Thump'
Then the spell hit, launching his clean off the platform and into the wall ten feet behind, before he dropped to the ground below...
...
...
The silence in the room was deafening as Professor Snape quickly rushed over to the fallen man only to become confused.
He was still alive?
But how, it was the killing curse, but upon closer examination there was no hint of dark magic, just a lingering body bind curse... a simple stupify?
Back on the stage Cassius stood victorious, having used his combo that failed to defeat Grindelwald easily outmatched an Auror.
"Never truest your opponent to fight fairly, a duel is a fight to the death, and you should be prepared to use anything at your disposal to win."
Only using the killing curse in a classroom?
Wasnt that illegal?
Some of the students began to whisper or even speak this out loud, which only caused cassius to laugh on the platform.
Both Professors had returned, each standing across from Cassius.
"That wasn't a killing curse, just a simple bluff. A projected Lumos Charm colored like the killing curse, while a Stupify followed close behind."
The admission of what had happened stunned everyone.
Mostly Severus and Thorn.
This 11 year old boy had used their own fear against them.
Everyone feared the killing curse specifially because you could not block it, so to face it mean certain death but to use it as a mean to startle your opponent only to deliver the real blow from the shadows.
Dastardly.
Ingenius.
The professors had split thoughts on the matter.